River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-09-22
MILES CONSEN:.


Dick Nash paced slowly forward
and backward on the river bank in
front of the boat-house.
What the dickens do / want to 90
abroad for," soliloquized he. ''unless on
a wedding trip? I'd better marry at
once, and, as the saying is, kill two
birds with one stone. But there is only
one girl for me-Millie Denton; and
might just as well ask for the MOON
Dick had Just come TO this conclusion
when, on looking up, he beheld the
object of his thoughts coming toward
him.
"A good time to begin" thought he.
Mile came tripping along, her
golden hair tossed about by the wind;
her cheeks were rosy and her blue eyes
sparkling.
Dick appeared not to recognize her at
first: then looking up and favoring her
with a little stare, he exclaimed:
''Why, it's Millier'
.'None other" laughed she.
"What brought you here?'
"Oh, am looking for some one"
''Some one who belongs to the club,
l supposeP"
mot exactly, though he is here a
great deal"
''Well, you won't find him.
"Why2''
because there has been no one here
for the past hour but myself
.'Why don't YOU ask for whom / am
| looking?"
Perhaps l don't care. lazily.
ooh, but he is just splendid!'
..Who is Splendid"
"Ha, har' laughed Mile IL thought
yon wanted to know all the time;
So"
but ] don'tr
do not interrupt me! If you insist
upon knowing"
Il don't"
at is my black dog, Towser.'
THE deucer' exclaimed Dick.
''Why, Dick Nash!'
What is the matter Mile Denton?"
''Isn't deuce a swear word?"
"A mild one"
Don't you know that you oughtn't
to swear in the presence of lady?"
"Yes; suppose | must beg your
pardon?"
Yes, think you ought to, if only
to teach you better manners"
well, do you insist upon it?"
"Oh, mol But"
Then YOU do insist; so here goes.
Taking a large handkerchief from
his pocket, he spread it carefully on
the grass at her feet, then assuming
most comical position and expression
as he knelt upon it, he began:
.'Oh, fairest of thy sex!''
"You silly gQose!'' laughed Mile.
IF you don't keep still | won't apol-
ogize at all! Once more. then-Oh,
fairest of thy sex, have committed an
objectionable
''Hear-hear-hearr'
The voice came from the direction of
the boat-house. The speaker was
Ned Morgan, and he and Fred Bailey
were greatly enjoying the little scene.
well, old fellow" continued Ned,
''this sort of a thing usually takes place
in the conservatory, if we are to be-
lieve the novelist, but | see that you
are trying to improve on the old plan.
With the blue dome of heaven over
head and the Mississippi throbbing at
Your feet-with the birds hushing their
songs and the trees whispering lowly,
you"
Il say. now, | don't think this quite
the fair thing. Here was Miss Mile
just ready to bless me with a sweet
yes. when"
But" interrupted Mile, enjoying
the joke in spite of herself. 'you
know had not made up my mind. -
.'You run away, boys, while she
makes up her mind said Dick.
You 90 right along and don'tmind
us, = said Ned, for we mean to see it
through"
'.Come, Mile" said Dick. ',hurry
up and say yes"
But suppose | say MOP"
Heu Il VIII never fisc again. anu Il
wish you would hurry, for my knees |
ache awfully,P
''DeaF mo! then ] say yes, for if did /
not should forever after be haunted
by a vision of you in your very uncOm-
Portable position"
That settles it," said Dick, jumping 1
up; II think that if we don't hurry up /
Towser will get away from US. Come
Mile
Leaving the others they started in
pursuit of the favorite. As soon as
they were out of sight of the others Dick
said:
well. I'm glad it's all settledr'
What is settled?' asked Mile.
why, our engagement.
"Ha, ha!"
..What are you laughing at?"
You, of course. don't see how 1
Tou can keep your face so long when
7ou joke. II
'.Then YOU think it is only joker {
why shouldn't i? are you crazy?'
mot I; but ! had made up my mind
. marry you, and as we were engaged
II fair and solid, in the presence of two .